Author: Barber, John
Biography:
BARBER, John (fl 1819)
No biographical details have been discovered that can be linked to this author with any certainty. The “Statement” in his book describes how, with the encouragement of the Hon. George Lamb, he had submitted the manuscripts of various plays to Drury Lane theatre in 1816-18. Lamb was a member of the sub-committee of Drury Lane but the theatre was embroiled in various scandals relating to its management in 1818 and he resigned. Only with difficulty did Barber secure the return of his manuscripts, and he published extracts from the plays in his book. William Fearman, the publisher, was a shadowy character who, in about 1818-21, operated premises in New Bond Street; he also published A Letter to All the Proprietors of Drury Lane Theatre (1818), a response to a pamphlet issued by rival publishers Sherwood, Neely, and Jones. John Barber’s book was issued anonymously but his name was included in a lengthy review in the Literary Gazette. (Literary Gazette 111 [1819])